Aspiration Pneumonia Treatment

The treatment for aspiration pneumonia depends on whether the aspirated fluid came from the mouth or from the stomach. Aspiration of stomach contents may not require treatment with antibiotics, while aspiration of saliva does require antibiotics. Treatment for aspiration pneumonia may include inhaled bronchodilators for wheezing. Those who have difficulty breathing may require hospitalization for oxygen therapy, and some may require admission to the intensive care unit. If a person has a foreign body in the lung, then bronchoscopy will be required to remove the object. During bronchoscopy, the doctor places a flexible fiberoptic scope through mouth and into the lungs, in order to examine the air passageways.